Suddenly, Pennsylvania sports bettors have a trio of options to choose from when it comes to online betting.
Of course, two of those options are effectively one and the same.
Tuesday marks the beginning of testing on the state’s third online sportsbook. This one, Bet Rivers Sportsbook, is the online offering from Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh.
If the new app looks and feels eerily familiar, that is because it is. The new offering is effectively a different coat of paint on the SugarHouse Sportsbook app.
“This summer marks Rivers Casino Pittsburgh’s 10th anniversary,” said Bill Keena, Rivers Casino general manager. “We’re celebrating one decade while planning ahead for the next. Full-service online, mobile and in-casino sportsbooks are where the industry is headed, and thanks to our team members, we’re already there.”
Similarities with SugarHouse mean shorter testing window
In fact, the similarities across the two apps are so similar, BetRivers even gets an abbreviated testing window. Unlike the three days of testing, SugarHouse went through and Parx Sportsbook is currently going through, BetRivers only needs two days of Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) supervision.
The hours for testing are as follows:
Tuesday, June 25: 4 p.m.-midnight
Wednesday, June 26: 2 p.m.-midnight
After that, if the PGCB signs off, the app can move to 24/7 offerings starting on Thursday, June 27. This is the same possible full launch date as Parx.
Deposit match of up to $500 available with code PLAYRIV
Like SugarHouse Sportsbook, the Rivers Sportsbook will offer a deposit match of 100% up to $500. When you deposit, just use the BetRivers PA bonus code PLAYRIV.
In fact, that is the same deposit code as the PlaySugarHouse offer. However, we have good news! Because the two sites are separate, you are eligible for the BetRivers promo even if you took advantage of the SugarHouse deposit promo.
The deposit and withdrawal options are the same for BetRivers as SugarHouse as well.
If you want to deposit on Rivers Pittsburgh’s betting app, your options are:
- ACH/e-check
- Visa and MasterCard
- PayNearMe (7-Eleven)
- Rivers prepaid card
- Cash at the Rivers cage
For withdrawals, the BetRivers options are:
- BetRivers Play+ prepaid card
- Online banking (ACH)
- Check by mail
- Cash at the cage
Same great sports betting options as PlaySugarHouse available on BetRivers
If you’re wondering what kind of betting options are available, you need look no further than the sister site, PlaySugarHouse.
Another nice perk for those who start an account and login is taking advantage of livestreaming of certain live games.
Thanks to an arrangement with IMG, Rush Street sportsbook can offer livestreams of events like soccer games and live tennis in addition to live wagering.
Same Apple issues, different day
Like Parx and SugarHouse before it, there is currently not a solution for iPhone and iPad users. Like its competitors, BetRivers says a solution for Apple customers will come eventually. However, don’t expect that to be an app in the App Store like neighboring New Jersey has.
The solution is more than likely going to be a workaround to allow browser-based betting on iPads and iPhones. Given the mandates put forth in the new Apple guidelines, the short-term solution will likely not be ideal, but the time needed to build an entirely new app would be more like a year, not the three months Apple allowed.
Be aware that if you do access Rivers Sportsbook on your desktop, you
